The Redbury New York

Opened in 1903 as the first all-women's hotel and residence, the hotel has seen many changes and owners over the years. In 2015, it underwent a $30 million renovation headed by architect Annabelle Selldorf that included the refurbishing of the rooms and public spaces and the addition of a flagship restaurant, Marta, a Rome-inspired pizzeria by New York restaurateur Danny Meyer. In 2016, the Redbury's bold design was reimagined yet again, this time by photographer and Redbury brand creative director Matthew Rolston.From the street, red flags bearing the hotel's name add a burst of color to the stately stone facade, hinting at what to expect inside. Two steps in the door and guests are confronted with a soaring two-story space and the chatter of a lively restaurant. A long hallway with blue cement-tile floors, custom chandeliers, and borders of thick, white fluted columns mark the way to the front desk.The space offers guests room to relax, socialize, and observe, but it's not an atmosphere that's conducive to getting work done or for holding an important meeting. The vibe is lively and somewhat noisy, with diners' voices carrying throughout the space and guests parading down the long hallway to check in and get to their rooms. Along the main hall, clusters of mid-century modern style accent chairs and gray velvet banquets provide space for waiting and watching.The hotel caters mostly to travelers looking to explore the city for fun, rather than those in town on business. There is indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, but the hub of the hotel are the lobby, the restaurant, and the lounge.

Centrally located in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood, the Redbury is close to attractions such as the Empire State Building, Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal, and Macy's. Set in the middle of the block along East 29th Street, the hotel is next door to a tarot-card reading business and a parking garage. Within walking distance are the classic New York neighborhoods of Gramercy Park, Murray Hill, and Union Square.- Five-minute walk to Madison Square Park

• Seven-minute walk to the Empire State Building
• 11-minute walk to Macy's
• 14-minute walk to Penn Station
• 15-minute walk to Union Square
• 15-minute walk to Grand Central Terminal
• 12-minute cab ride or subway to Times Square
• 14-minute cab or subway ride to Central Park and Columbus Circle
• 25-minue cab or subway ride to Metropolitan Museum of Art
• 25-minute subway ride to the 9/11 Memorial Museum
• 20-minute subway or cab ride to Museum of Modern Art
• 30-minute drive to LaGuardia Airport
• 40-minute drive to JFK International Airport

The Redbury's 265 rooms were all renovated in 2016. The stylish makeover is sleek and cozy, with a color palette of white, ruby red, black, and gray. Crisp white and deep crimson walls create a canvas for wall-mounted flat-screen HDTVs, modern black coat racks, and collections of playful framed silhouettes arranged over the headboards; the artwork depicts such objects as vintage shoes, hatchets, and keys.Beds are finished with crisp 300-thread-count white sheets, down duvets, two sets of pillows, and bright-red accent throws. Most rooms feature bedside tables with bottles of Voss water and iHome docking stations, as well as desks topped with small reading lamps and a tray of minibar items ranging from Pop Chips to Coke to tiny bottles of premium spirits. While some of the rooms have standard closets, most are equipped with free-standing armoires with drawers on one side and hanging space, as well as irons, ironing boards, safes, and umbrellas. Bathrooms are tidy and uncluttered with slate tiles, glass-enclosed showers, and white-marble single vanities. Plenty of plush towels and an arrangement of Ciel bath products are also included.

Located on the ground floor of the Redbury is Marta, a Roman-style pizzeria headed by chef Nick Anderer, formerly of New York's Maialino restaurant. The two-story space features wood tables with traditional caned seating and modern chandeliers as well as a balcony that overlooks the main dining room. The highlight of the room is the open kitchen with a duo of wood-burning ovens, an open-fire grill, and a bar that lets diners watch the chefs in action. While the restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, the main attraction of the menu is the selection of thin-crusted pizzas featuring locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Note that Marta is a non-tipping restaurant. Bar Marta serves as the Redbury's lobby bar, where guests can order from the full Marta menu, as well as cocktails, beer, wine, and Champagne.